Maria Veronica Leyva

On Tuesday, April 20, 2021 Maria Veronica Leyva, loving mother of four children, passed away at the age of 72.
 Maria was born on July 30, 1948 in Piedras Negras Cuaila to Cruz Leyva and Maria Riojas. Maria migrated to Mabton WA in 1954 with her parents and siblings. As a family they followed the seasonal crops and traveled the states; Michigan, Ohio, Colorado, and Kansas were a few states she ventured to. Her brother Gilberto shared that she would stay in the truck as they worked because she was still young.
 Maria attended Mabton schools and received her diploma at Mabton High School. Maria raised four children: Sonya Barrera, Adam Leyva, Monica Garcia (Jerome Chaney), and Jesus Garcia (Heidi Sullivan). In 1984 Maria moved to Pasco WA, where she built her life, and career. Maria worked as a lab technician for a potato factory, she retired in 2016.
 Mom enjoyed watching game shows; Family Feud, What America Says, and Whammy were a few of her favorites. She also knitted blankets for her grandchildren and great grandchildren, as-well as potholders for her daughters. Mom admired her large rose bushes, she loved gardening and tending to her indoor plants. She would go to yard sales, when she would get tired, she would sit in the car and point at things for my sister Sonya to hold up to see if she wanted it. Mom loved family gatherings, bailes and dancing to cumbias. But her #1 favorite thing was, she enjoyed the loudness of her grandchildren running in the house.
 Maria leaves behind a family that loves her. Siblings; Santa Leyva Castillion, Miguel Riojas Leyva (Wife Mary), Gilberto Riojas Leyva (Wife Martha), Gloria Leyva Marroquin (Husband Jesse). Grandchildren; Stephanie Valdez (Debonaire), Anthony Mahaffey, Marco Mahaffey, Amanda Hinojosa, Adam Jr Leyva (Edith), Xavier Garcia, J Correa, Cyrus Chaney, Mia Chaney, Olivia Chaney, Larissa Brown, Hope Garcia, Alexis Garcia, and Deja Garza. Fourteen great grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. As-well as her cat Chula.
 Maria was proceeded in death by her father Cruz Leyva, mother Maria Riojas, siblings; Rosa Leyva Hernandez and Hector Riojas Leyva. Brother-in-law Jesse Marroquin.
 Viewing and visitation will be held Wednesday, April 28, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm with recitation of Holy Rosary at 6:00 at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside, WA. Mass of Christian Burial will be Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 11:00 am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Mabton, WA. with burial to follow at Mabton Cemetery in Mabton, WA. Those wishing to sign Veronica’s online memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com Smith Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Maria Veronica Leyva, please visit our floral store.